The Servant of the High Priest

After an agonizing time of prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus knew clearly that His time had come and what was coming for Him. He wasn't surprised at all when he saw Roman soldiers and the temple guard with torches, clubs and swords.

The chief priests, Pharisees and others, led by Judas Iscariot, came up to Jesus. Judas embraced Him, and kissed Him. Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?" When the other disciples saw what was happening, some asked, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?"

The Gospel of John gives the most detail of this distressing event. John 18:4 states: "Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons." Jesus stepped forward and asked, "Whom are you seeking?" They answered, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus said, "I am He," and when He said that, "they drew back and fell to the ground." He asked them again, "Whom are you seeking?" They answered, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus answered, "I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way."

Peter drew his sword and he struck the high priest's servant, Malchus, and cut off his right ear. Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?"

In Luke 22:51 it records that at this intense moment in the garden, immediately before they bound Jesus and took Him away, Jesus reached out in compassion to an enemy, "and He touched his ear and healed him." Some think it is more likely that Malchus' ear was very nearly cut completely off, but not all the way through. Regardless when Jesus touched his ear it was perfectly restored.